Isolation and Chemical Profile of Thymus Serpyllum L. and Lavandula Angustifolia Mill. Essential Oils

Aim of this study was to isolate essential oil from two different plants, Thymus serpyllum L. and Lavandula angustifolia Mill., as well to investigate their chemical composition. Essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation, while chemical composition was established by GC-MS analysis. Obtained results showed that much more compounds were detected in Lavandula angustifolia Mill. than in Thymus serpyllum L. essential oil. Dominant compounds in Lavandula angustifolia Mill. were linalool (54.24%), eucalyptol (17.97%) and endo-borneol (13.36%), while thymol (37.37%), β-bisabolene (6.98%), germacrene D (6.68%) and trans-caryophyllene (6.47%) dominated in Thymus serpyllum L. essential oil

Comparative screening of the anti-oxidant and antimicrobial activities of Sempervivum marmoreum L. extracts obtained by various extraction techniques

This paper presents a comparative study of the anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activities, total phenolic compounds and total flavonoids in extracts obtained from houseleek (Sempervivum marmoreum L.) leaves by the classical (maceration), ultrasonic and Soxhlet extraction (CE, UE and SE, respectively). The extract obtained by the CE contained higher amounts of phenolic and flavonoid compounds and showed a better antioxidant activity than those obtained using other two techniques. All the extracts, independent of the extraction technique applied, showed antimicrobial activities against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans only but not against the tested bacteria

Content of Trace Metals in Medicinal Plants and their Extracts

The heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn) contents of selected plant species, grown in Southeast region of Serbia, that are traditionally used in alternative medicine were determined. Among the considered metals, iron content was the highest one and varied from 137.53 up to 423.32 mg/kg, while the contents of Cu, Zn and Mn were remarkably lower, and ranged from 8.91 to 62.20 mg/kg. In addition, an analysis of plants extracts showed a significant transfer of heavy metals during extraction procedure; therefore, the corresponding extraction coefficients reached values up to 88.8%. Those were especially high in the ethanol based extracts. Moreover, it is was established that such coefficients mostly depend on the solvent nature and also on the treated plant species. The obtained results impose that medicinal plants from Southeast region of Serbia due to rather low content of heavy metals are appropriate for preparation of teas and medicinal extracts

BALANCE IN YOUNG GYMNASTS: AGE-GROUP DIFFERENCES

The aim of this study was to investigate difference in balance test scores and success on the balance beam of young gymnasts, international level of competition. Forty eight young gymnasts divided into two age groups participated in the study (Group 1: n=22, age 9.0 ± 1.1 years, 136.0 ± 7.6 cm, 30.8 ± 4.3 kg; Group 2: n=26, 12.1 ± 0.6 years, 146.0 ± 7.0 cm, 36.9 ± 6.6 kg;). To assess static balance, participants performed 3 stance variations (double leg, single leg, and tandem leg) on stiff surfaces and 3 specific static-balance tests consist of gymnastics elements on the balance beam (Scale, handstand and side handstand). For assessment of dynamic balance, participants performed multidirectional maximal single-leg reaches from a unilateral base of support (Y - balance test) and 3 specific dynamic-balance tests consisted of two connected gymnastics elements (Turns for 360°, jumps with 180º  and cartwheels). In the static balance test there is a significant difference only in one-leg stance (SRJN, .021) and specific static balance test SSSU (.000). In the dynamic balance tests, there was a significant difference in performing SD2Z test between the two groups (p=.043). These results suggests that the older gymnasts had better results in demanding tests such as one-leg stance, handstand and cartwheels on the balance beam. To achieve top results in the Women's Artistic gymnastics it is necessary to achieve good results on the balance beam and monitoring of balance ability for future success

Sastav bezglutenskog brašna sa posebnim osvrtom na mineralne materije

The aim of this paper is to investigate the composition of gluten free flours, with particular reference to the minerals content (As, Ag, B, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Tl, Zn, Si, and P). The following types of gluten-free flours were analyzed: palenta, gluten-free mix fluor, gluten-free palenta, flax flour, white buckwheat flour, corn white flour, as well as gluten flours with the purpose of comparison: flour for integral bread and wheat flour type 400. The samples were prepared by wet digestion process and then subjected to an ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometry) analysis. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the mineral composition of gluten and gluten free flours is different. In terms of nutritive value, the flour which proved to be the richest in term of higher content of macro (K - 7373,215 μg g-1, Na - 1978,009 μg g-1 and Mg - 1818,141 μg g-1) and micro essential elements (Zn - 46,001 μg g-1 and Cu-4,110 μg g-1) is a flax non-gluten-free flour. The lead content detected in white buckwheat (0.518 μg g-1) and white corn flour (0.534 μg g-1) is beyond the permitted amount, which limits their use in daily human diet.U ovom radu ispitivan je sastav bezglutenskog brašna u cilju određivanja sadržaja mineralnih materija (As, Ag, B, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Tl, Zn, Si i P). Analizirane su sledeće vrste brašna: palenta, bezglutenski mix, gluten-free palenta, laneno, belo heljdino brašno, projino kukuruzno belo brašno kao i glutenska brašna u cilju komparacije: brašno za integralni hleb i pšenično brašno-tip 400. Uzorci su najpre pripremljeni postupkom mokre digestije a potom podvrgavani ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry) analizi. Na osnovu prikazanih rezultata može se zaključiti da se mineralni sastav bezglutenskih i glutenskih brašana razlikuje. U pogledu nutritivne vrednosti, brašno koje se pokazalo najbogatije u smislu većeg sadržaja makro (K - 7373,215 μg g-1, Na - 1978,009 μg g-1 i Mg - 1818,141 μg g-1) i mikro esencijalnih elemenata (Zn - 46,001 μg/g i Cu-4,110 μg g-1) je laneno bezglutensko brašno. Sadržaj olova detektovan kod belog heljdinog (0,518 μg g-1) i belog kukuruznog brašna (0,534 μg g-1) je izvan granica dozvoljene količine olova u brašnima, što ograničava njihovu upotrebu u ishrani

Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Crataegus Oxyacantha L (Rosaceae) Fruit Extract from Southeast Serbia

Purpose: The aim of this work was to determine the content of total phenols, total flavonoids, anthocyanins, as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of hawthorn ( Crataegus oxyacantha L.) alcohol, hydroalcohol and aqueous extracts. Methods: The content of total phenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins of the alcohol, hydroalcohol and aqueous extracts of hawthorn were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Antioxidant assay was based on the measurement of DPPH absorbance at 517 nm caused by the reaction of DPPH with the test sample. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by measuring the zone of inhibition against selected test microorganisms: Bacillus subtilis , Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Salmonella abony while antifungal activity was tested against two organisms: Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans . Results: The results of spectrophotometric investigations indicate that the content of total phenol compounds in the investigated extracts varied from 2.12 to 30.63 mg GAE g-1 of fresh hawthorn sample. The content of anthocyanins ranged from 0.3207 to 3.168 mg of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside g-1 of fresh hawthorn fruit. The fruit extracts showed high antioxidant activity with DPPH radical transformation value as high as 89.9 % in the methanol-water (50/50, v/v%)) extract. The ethanol extract exhibited antimicrobial activity against all test microorganisms except two, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, and one species of fungi, Aspergillus niger.Flavonoid structure influenced the extract’s selectivity towards Gram-positive and Gram negative bacteria. Conclusion: Extracts of the fruit of Crataegus oxyacantha L. can be used as natural antioxidant and antimicrobial preparations

Sadržaj teških metala u starim srpskim rakijama šljivovicama

Seven elements, namely, arsenic, lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, iron and manganese were determined in 31 samples of Serbian plum brandies by application of atomic spectrometry techniques. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry was used for the quantification of copper, iron, zinc, manganese, lead and cadmium, and hydride generation atomic spectrometry absorption for arsenic quantification. The measured concentrations of the heavy metals and arsenic were assessed according to Serbian regulations, official regulations of some other countries and in respect to the content of microelements in other similar distilled alcoholic beverages. The amounts of microelements in the maximal recommended daily and weekly intake of plum brandy were determined. The influence of production (home made or industrial), type of wooden barrel (oak or mulberry), and duration of ageing process on the content of Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn in plum brandies, as well as the coefficient of correlation between the Cu content and pH value were also studied.Sedam elemenata: arsen, olovo, kadmijum, bakar, cink, gvožđe i mangan su određivani u 31 uzorku srpskih rakija šljivovica primenom tehnike atomske apsorpcione spektrometrije. Plamena atomska apsorpciona spektrometrija je korišćena za kvantifikaciju bakra, gvožđa, cinka, olova, mangana i kadmijuma, a hidridna tehnika atomske apsorpcione spektrometrije za kvantifikaciju arsena. Izmerena koncentracija teških metala i arsena je u skladu sa propisima Republike Srbije, zvaničnim propisima nekih drugih zemalja i drugim sličnim jakim alkoholnim pićima. Količina mikroelemenata u maksimalnom dnevnom i nedeljnom unosu rakije šljivovice je određena. Uticaj proizvodnje (domaća i industijska), vrste drvenih buradi (hrast i dud), trajanje procesa sazrevanja na sadržaj cinka, bakra, gvožđa i mangana u šljivovicama, kao i koeficijent korelacije između sadržaja bakra i pH je takođe ispitivan

Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Crataegus Oxyacantha L (Rosaceae) Fruit Extract from Southeast Serbia

Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of different extracts of Papaver rhoeas L. were examined. High contents of total phenolic compounds (9.73 -19.91 mg GAE/g of fresh petals) and total flavonoids (7.904 -11.45 mg QE/g of fresh petals) were determined. Red pigment present in the flowers of P. rhoeas L. originates from anthocyanins, which may act as natural antioxidants. Anthocyanins content in the investigated extracts is very unified and ranged from 4.72 to 5.193 mg of cyanidin-3-O-glukoside/g of fresh petals. The antioxidant activity of different extracts was tested using the spectrophotometric method by means of the ability of extracts to scavenge stable 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). All tested extracts exhibited strong scavenging activity against DPPH radicals, that is higher then 80%. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents may be related to the percentages of the scavenging activity of DPPH assay (estimated correlation coefficient are R 2 = 0.965 and 0.752, respectively). The ethanol extract of P. rhoeas L. showed antimicrobial activity against the yeast Candida albicans, and all tested bacteria except Bacillus subtilis. This paper suggests that the investigated extracts of plant P. rhoes L. could be potentially applied as an antioxidant and antimicrobial agents. Key words: Papaver rhoeas L., phenolic content, anthocyanins content, flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity. INTRODUCTION Papaver rhoeas L. (Papaveraceae) is an annual herb indigenous to numerous regions in the world. In traditional medicine until synthetic drugs are developed, extracts of this plant have been used for the treatment of a wide range of diseases including inflammation, diarrhea, sleep disorders and, moreover, for cough, analgesia and also the reduction of withdrawal signs of the opioid addiction. It is also claimed that plant P. rhoeas exhibits sedative, narcotic, and emollient effects ( In the present paper, the evaluation of P. rhoeas L. from Southeast Serbia with respect to phenolic content and the antioxidant data of different extracts obtained from plant petals are reported. As it is stated earlier, numerous polyphenols are known to possess excellent antioxidant effects, especially in vitro, and the amount of total polyphenols present in a plant has been suggested to correlate with the antioxidant activity. Therefore, this work represents the first report on phenolic content and related antioxidant activity of the extracts of P. rhoeas L. from Southeast Serbia. Antimicrobial activity of ethanol extract of P. rhoeas was investigated, too. EXPERIMENTAL Plant material The plant was collected at bloom stage in few villages from the South-eastern Cape Province of Serbia in July, 2009. The plant was firstly identified by its vernacular name and later validated by voucher number of the deposited herbarium specimens at the Department of Botany (University of Novi Sad, Serbia). Preparation of plant extracts The fresh petals of P. rhoeas L. were milled by an appropriate blender. Three samples (each weighed 2.0 g) were separated from the previously homogenized plant material, and extracted with the desired volumes (30, 20 and 20 ml, respectively) of the chosen solvents (methanol, ethanol, methanol-water mixture, ethanol-water mixture and water) three times in the further course. Samples were mixed in an ultrasound bath during the extraction procedure. Such obtained extracts were filtered using the Buchner funnel and Whatman No. 1 filter paper. Solid residues were rinsed for several times in order to gain transparent extracts. Finally, the obtained plant extracts were collected in graduated flask of the same volume of 100 ml. Chemicals and reagents 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), quercetin and AlCl3 were purchased from Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, MO, USA). FolinCiocalteu's phenol reagent and sodium carbonate were purchased from Merck Chemical Suppliers (Darmstadt, Germany). Sodium chlorate buffer (pH 1.0) and acetate buffer (pH 4.5) were purchased from the same producer. The other used chemicals including solvents were of analytical grade. Determination of the total phenolics Total phenolic contents in the extracts were determined by the modified Folin-Ciocalteu method Determination of the total monomeric anthocyanins The total monomeric anthocyanin content in the plant extracts was determined using the pH-differential method previously described by (1) Content of the monomeric antocyanin pigment (MAP) was calculated by Equation 2